In a bold move to safeguard the future of aviation, Qantas Group has announced a monumental $40 million investment into groundbreaking training and safety programs. This initiative, a first in the Australian aviation industry, will equip the next generation of pilots, cabin crew, and engineers with essential skills and elevate safety standards across various sectors through a world-class education platform.
With the future of air travel evolving rapidly, Qantas is taking proactive steps to ensure its workforce is prepared to meet the growing demands of a modern fleet and ever-changing safety standards. Qantas spearheads a new era of aviation excellence in Australia, from launching a pioneering Safety Academy to doubling down on diversity-focused scholarships.
Qantas crew at A320 door trainer.
Launch of the Qantas Group Safety Academy in 2025
One of the flagship initiatives under this multi-million-dollar investment is the creation of the Qantas Group Safety Academy—an Australian-first safety education centre in collaboration with Griffith University and RMIT University. This academy will offer cutting-edge safety micro-credentials tailored to the aviation sector yet versatile enough to benefit safety professionals across various industries. Key areas of focus include:
- Safety culture and leadership
- Risk management
- Cybersecurity and data management
- Fatigue and human factors management
Set to launch in 2025, the Safety Academy will allow participants to access courses online or on-campus at RMIT University, ensuring flexibility for those seeking to advance their qualifications. These programs can also be applied toward postgraduate degrees, empowering professionals to build a robust safety skill set.
By 2026, the academy will expand to offer accredited postgraduate qualifications and foster advanced research initiatives through a Centre of Safety Excellence. The research conducted here will contribute valuable insights to the aviation industry and other sectors dependent on rigorous safety protocols.
Expanding Australia’s Training Footprint: State-of-the-Art Facilities
In response to its growing fleet and workforce, Qantas is pushing to expand its training infrastructure. More than $40 million will be allocated to develop cutting-edge training facilities across Australia, catering to the evolving needs of the airline and the broader aviation industry.
A new Sydney Ground Training Facility, expected to open in 2026, will be located at Qantas’ Mascot campus. This facility will feature state-of-the-art training equipment, including:
Qantas Engineer.
- Door trainers for emergency evacuation simulations
- Virtual reality spaces for interactive safety training
- Narrow-body cabin trainers for specific aircraft types
- Additional classrooms to accommodate growing demand
This facility will annually support training over 5,000 Qantas, Jetstar, and QantasLink pilots and cabin crew. It will enhance training efficiency and open up additional space at Qantas’ nearby flight training facility, allowing for more specialized cockpit procedure trainers.
In addition to Sydney, a new Perth Ground Training Facility will launch in 2025, and existing facilities in Brisbane and Melbourne will receive significant upgrades to house new training equipment. This network of modernized facilities is designed to support the comprehensive growth of the Qantas Group’s workforce, which is poised to expand dramatically over the next decade.
Doubling Pilot Scholarships to Boost Diversity
Safety in hangar.
Recognizing the importance of diversity in the aviation workforce, Qantas is doubling the scholarships available through its Pilot Academy in Toowoomba. By 2025, 20 scholarships will be offered to aspiring pilots from underrepresented groups, including female students and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals.
Each scholarship, valued at up to $30,000, will cover accommodation and meals, making the academy more accessible to a broader range of students. Tuition fees will be paid separately.
Since the academy opened in 2020, over 400 graduates have completed their training, with women making up 20% of the graduates—an encouraging figure compared to the global average of just 4% for female commercial airline pilots. Qantas is determined to continue this trend and increase representation within its ranks and the broader aviation industry.
A Strategic Vision for the Next Decade
Qantas Group’s investment in training aligns with its ambitious growth strategy over the next decade. The company has committed to creating over 8,500 new operational roles by 2033, including:
- 4,500 cabin crew
- 1,600 pilots
- 800 engineers
- 1,600 additional operational positions
With over 100 new aircraft on order for Qantas and Jetstar, this recruitment drive represents a critical opportunity for growth, both within the airline and across the broader Australian aviation sector.
Industry Leaders Voice Support
Commenting on this significant investment, Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson emphasized the importance of safety and training in Qantas’ heritage, stating:
“Safety and training have been at the core of Qantas since our very first flight in 1922. With a historic fleet renewal underway, this investment will ensure we continue to uphold the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.”
Professor Rosalind Archer from Griffith University praised the partnership with Qantas, saying:
“Griffith is proud to collaborate with Qantas in establishing a world-class Safety Academy. The combination of practical aviation experience and academic leadership will produce industry-leading safety professionals.”
Lea Vesic, Director of the RMIT Aviation Academy, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the transformative potential of this initiative:
“The Qantas Safety Academy will provide a vital pipeline of safety leaders, drawing on RMIT’s expertise in delivering job-ready graduates.”
Future-Proofing Australian Aviation
As the aviation industry rebounds from the challenges of recent years, Qantas is leading the charge in not just recovering but elevating the standards of training, safety, and diversity within the sector. This $40 million investment ensures that the next generation of Australian aviation professionals will be well-prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry, positioning Qantas at the forefront of global aviation excellence.
For more information on the Qantas Group Safety Academy, visit qantas.com/safetyacademy.
Written by: Octavia Koo
